Guest Author: Karen Winston
Exploring the great outdoors has never been more accessible! Karen shares a fantastic opportunity that’s perfect for those eager to immerse themselves in nature. Learn about the free all-terrain wheelchair program available in many state parks across the United States. These specially designed Action Trackchairs are designed to help everyone experience nature’s wonders. Let’s dive into how you can access these resources and what you need to know to get started on your next outdoor journey.
An Introduction to Public-Use All-Terrain, Trail-Ready Wheelchairs
Did you know that you can reserve an all-terrain wheelchair for free? Through my research, I have found that the all-terrain Action Trackchair/Wheelchair is available in many state parks across the country. In Georgia, I happened upon a Department of Natural Resources website, dedicated to making outdoor activities more accessible to everyone (Outdoors Beyond Barriers) and it has a page dedicated to this all-terrain chair. I now know that this type of program exists in other states, as well. So here’s your sign to step out and explore more!
One of the highlights of this well-rounded approach to providing accessibility in state parks is the availability of all-terrain Action Trackchairs (wheelchairs) at about 19 state parks throughout Georgia (including metro Atlanta). The chairs must be reserved in advance, but chair use is free of charge. You can read about the all-terrain chairs in Georgia here: gadnr.org/Accessibility/TrackChairs. The free chairs are made possible through a partnership with the Aimee Copeland Foundation.
Before you can reserve a chair, you must complete a registration process (fairly simple) to confirm your disability, and also complete an online course to gain certification in all-terrain mobility chair use. The entire process takes about 7 days. These all-terrain wheelchairs come in different models and can retail for more than $19,000, but in state parks, they are free to use by disabled individuals. The process is probably similar in other states, so please check on similar programs near you.
The manufacturer of Action Trackchair has graciously provided a search tool on their website to find free public use chairs near you (see map below). actiontrackchair.com/finder/
Admittedly, I have never been an ‘outdoorsy’ type, but the availability of an all-terrain wheelchair has opened the door to new adventures! Where I had been looking forward to just an outing at the Atlanta Zoo, I can now plan a hiking trip with my son and his wife, who are avid hikers. For those of you who were, at one time, enthusiastic about outdoor activities, this may be a new door opening for you to get back to something you love.
Disclaimer: Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new activity, health care regimen, exercise, treatment, or nutritional supplement. Views expressed in this article are those of the author. NAF does not endorse any products or services.
About the Author
Hello! I’m Karen. I am part of the team at Day Undefined. The basics: happily married 33 years, 2 adult sons, and 2 adopted dogs (now 12 & 13); retired (twice) as an Operations Manager for a giant telecom company; post 2nd retirement went on to teach middle school Special Education (loved it) until my diagnosis with SCA III around 2009. I love just learning and all things creative. My hobbies include photography, furniture & decor up-cycling, gardening, dog behavior-modification training and genealogy. An absolute favorite item I hope to review is the Aerogarden indoor hydroponic gardening unit, which makes growing anything indoors from seed, flowers to salad greens & tomatoes, a breeze! My mantras: Someone said, “I don’t know how you do it.” I said, “I wasn’t given a choice.” And from poet Mary Oliver, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
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